Biometric identifiers

As part of applying for a Schengen visa, applicants are required to allow collection of fingerprints and a photo.

At the time of submission of the first application for a visa to Schengen, the applicant shall be required to allow the collection of the following biometric identifiers:

A photograph

Fingerprints

If fingerprints were collected from the applicant less than 59 months ago as part of an earlier application to Schengen, they shall be copied to later applications. Once this period of time has elapsed, the fingerprints should be collected again.

If at the time when the most recent application is lodged, it cannot be immediately confirmed that the fingerprints were collected within the 59 months period, or if the Embassy cannot confirm that the quality of the collected prints allows re-use, the applicant may request that they be collected again.

Certain categories of applicants are exempt from the requirement to give fingerprints, including:

Children under the age of 12

Persons for whom fingerprinting is physically impossible

Heads of State and members of national governments, and members of their official delegations when invited for an official purpose.